Method of making alpha drag-link element



i up April 2 ,1927. 1,625,795

7 F. c. CRAWFORD METHOD OF MAKING A DRAG LINK ELEMENT Original FiledJan. 1, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheav 1 I Alva-Mme f'eioferx C Cmrvmm 1,625,795Aprll 1927' F. c. CRAWFORD METHOD OF MAKING A DRAG LINK ELEMENT OriginalFiled Jan. 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNlTE'D STATES PATENT OFFHQE.

FREDERLCK C. CRAWFORD, OF DETRQIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE STEEL PROD-UCTS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, 01-110, A CORPORATION OIE OHIO.

METHOD OF Iv'IAKING A DRAG-LINK ELEMENT.

Original application filed January 11, 1923, Serial No. 612,143. Dividedand this application filed March My invention relates to methods of man-'iiifacturing elements for use in drag-links, tie-rods, or the like,forming part of the steering mechanism oi automotive vehicles, such asautomobiles and trucks.

The object of the invention is to produce a device of the abovedescribed character in an economical and efficient manner.

Said invention consists of a method of producing a socket, hereinafterfully do scribed and particularly set forth in the claims, said methodbeing also disclosed in my pending application Serial NO. 612,1 i3,filed January 11, 1923, in which said socket is specifically claimed.This invention iur thermore constitutes a specific application oi themethod disclosed in Patent No. 1,610,769, issued to Matthew P. GrahamDecember lei. 1926, on an application of even date herewith.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail acertain. method en'ibodying my invention, together with a drag-linkelement produced thereby, the disclosure, however, constituting but oneof the various ways in which the principle of my invention may beapplied.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 represents an axial section of the end portion of a tubularmember from which the body member of my invention is constructed.

Fig. 2 represents an axial section of said end portion after the firststep in the operation has been completed.

Fig. 3 represents a side elevation and Fig. 4 an end View of theabutment member forming part of the device.

Fig. 5 represents an axial section showing the end of the body memberand the abutment member assembled.

Fig. 6 represents an axial section of the socket member which is to bewelded to the flange on the body member.

Fig. 7 represents an axial section of the end of the body member, theabutment member in place and the socket member welded thereto.

Fig. 8 represents an axial section of a completed drag-link andassociated parts of which the element included in my invention forms apart.

Fig. 9 represents an axial section of the end of a modified form of themain body Serial No. 699,422.

HIOClifiBCl form of abutment member.

Fig. 11, represents an axial section of the end portion of a tubularbody member showing the modified form of abutment member associatedtaerewith.

Fig. 12 represents an axial section of the end oi a dre -link element inwhich the modified term of abutment member is used and prior to itscompletion.

Fig. 13 represents an axial section of a complete drag-link element andassociated parts, in which the said modified form of abutment member isused.

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, incarrying out my invention I first take a tubular member 1 and upset sameto form an end flange 2 of larger diai'ueter than that of said tube 1. Ithen place in the flange cavity SUClElgitillSi'. the shoulder 3 formedthereon, an abutn'ient member t. This member consists of a cylindricalportion 5 of a diameter substantially equal to the interior diameter ofthe flange 2, and a cylindrical portion 6 of reduced diameter, the innerperipheral portion of the part 5 being preferably made to conform incontour with the said shoulder, as shown in Fig. 5. A tubular socketmember 7 is then butt-welded to the end of the flange 2, the dimensionsof the parts being such that the intrude-d metal 8 formed during thewelding operation will flow into the annular space 9 formed between thepart 6 of the abutment member and the socket, and engage the outersurface of the part 5 of said abutment member. The latter is therebysecured in place in the socket and the part 6 thereof projects into thesocket CPLV. ity, as shown in Fig. 7. The outer extruded metal or burr11 is then ground oii or otherwise removed.

The outer end of the abutment member extends beyond the welded joint andforms a stop for the associated parts of the drag-link as shown in Fig.8. The extruded metal 8 being located in the annular space forms noimpediment or obstruction to the placing of these parts within thesocket, as will be readily seen, and as in the case of the Grahaminvention above referred to.

The above process of construction may be applied to a body member formedout of solid stock such as is shown in Fig. 9 as will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art.

In Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive, is illustrated a structure practicallyidentical with the previously described device, but in which theabutment member 12 is pressed or otherwise formed into acup-shape havingan intermediate diametrically enlarged portion 13 which seats againstthe shoulder A) as shown in Fig. 11. The closed end portion 14: of thismember 12 is of an exterior diameter substantially equal to the interiordiameter of the body member 1 and extends into the latter. As before,the tubular socket memher 7 is welded to the flange 2 and the intrudedmetal 8 engages the portion 13 and secures the abutment member in place.The open end portion 15 projects into the socket cavity and beyond theweld.

The extruded metal or burr 11 is then re moved and the element is thenready for the reception of the associated drag-link parts.

This last described structure may be further amplified by providing alubricating connection 16 passing through the member 1 and theabutmentmember 12, as shown in Fig. 13, whereby the interior of saidabutment member may be supplied with a suit able lubricant. In this casethe end plate 17 which forms one of the associated parts of thedrag-link is provided with a central aperture 18 through which suchlubricant may reach the interior of the socket, all as will be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art.

lVhat I claim is:

1. The method of making an element for drag-links or the like, whichconsists in forming an end-flange upon a body portion of said element;placing in the flange recess an abutment member which is adapted to forman annular space between it and said flange; butt-wclding a tubularsocketmember to said flange and permitting the intruded metal to engagesaid abutmentmember whereby such metal when cool will secure saidabutment member in place.

2. The method of making an element for draglinks or the like, whichconsists in forming an end-flange upon a body-portion of said element;placing in the flange recess an abutment member which is formed with anend portion of smaller diameter than the interior diameter of saidrecess and a diametrically enlarged portion of substantially the samediameter as said interior; said enlarged portion engaging the interiorflange shoulder; Welding a socket member to said flange, and permittingthe intruded metal to engage said enlarged portion, whereby such metalwhen cool will secure said abut meat member in place.

Signed by me this 11th day of l ebruary,

FREDERICK C. CRAWFORD.

